Cleveland Cavaliers: 10 greatest guards in franchise history
156. . Point Guard. Cleveland Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving. 2. player
Oh, what could have been. Kyrie Irving was selected number one overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. That pick was immediately validated by Irving’s rookie season in which he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Despite an abysmal record by the Cavs during his rookie season, he still put up per-game averages of 18.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds.
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Irving also had a penchant for, as Fred McLeod always so eloquently put it, “bruising ankles and egos.” Irving had that “it factor” that so many of the league’s top stars have, in addition to his absurd numbers.
He was apart of, and a major factor in the greatest run in franchise history as he was a perfect number two option to LeBron James, and even carried them to wins on nights that James didn’t play (which were few and far between).
Irving is also the author of the greatest shot in franchise history. He nailed the championship-clinching shot, in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Warriors.
In addition to the championship and Rookie of the Year award, Irving has some fantastic accolades over his six seasons in Cleveland. He made four All-Star teams, an All-Star game MVP, and an All-NBA team.
Per Basketball-Reference, Irving had per-game averages in Cleveland of 21.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.4 rebounds.